Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration

Twenty-one patients underwent laparoscopic common bile duct exploration during a 9 month period. Ten had stones flushed after ampullary dilatation. Seven had stones removed with a Dormier basket and one had direct common duct incision with T-tube insertion. Three failed attempted stone flushing and had stones removed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and sphincterotomy. Operating time ranged from 1.5 to 3.5 h. Nineteen patients were discharged by the second postoperative day. This early experience with laparoscopic stone removal is encouraging, reducing the need for pre-operative or postoperative ERCP.